The Franklin Chronicle A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER December 21, 2007 Page 3 Carrabelle's Christmas Fable 'Twas the night before Christmas on the Carrabelle River, few creatures were stirring, perhaps but to shiver. A few shrimp boats were tied, where once rested so many Now squeezed in the last spaces not sold for a penny. Pairs of white boots were lined up on the decks Awaiting the day they would be needed next. The crews and most captains had gone home for the night Each vessel was bathed in cold winter moonlight. Then, from one of the docks, arose such a clatter, A lone captain looked to see what was the matter. Asleep in his wheelhouse 'til risen from dreams Saw no one about then from under the beams Of the splintery dock, splash! And a mutter Out from the shadows, with coughing and splutter A wet old man floated, dirty and skinny Athwart the bow of a fast-sinking dinghy. Captain, that stout man, by pity made bolder Lifted, with ease, on to his brawny shoulder The shivering diesel-soaked form that cried out In pain or relief, but not much of a shout. Within cozy walls, the captain poured coffee, wrapped his guest, fed him, asked, "What does your name be?" Was answered, "I simply can't bring that to mind While by boat and my crew, lost in fog I must find." "What?" cried the Cap, "on this night clear and so cold no mention of fog has the radio told." "None others are out there," the other said, shaking. "Late, limping one engine, murk overtaking- ComingTo Our Ne Two Weeks From' The Only Magazine In Ame Celebrates Hometowns Just American Profile is all about America's sinall to ular features on unsung heroes, hometown pr food, family and more. American Profile is a ce people and lifestyles that make up this unique we call home. And it's coming to your home today. Look for it right here! Celebrating Hometown Life a I left my boat anchored, to out run this mist Looking for safe port, and a hand to assist." "Throw off the lines, fellow, we'll find your lost crew, My creaking old boat will not disap- point you." As Cap steered his way under star-clus- Ni t C 24 d tered skies, his companion gained girth, life came By Laurel Newman to his eyes. "What course must I take," Cap cried, "where must I go?" In midstream the stranger said, "Now you may know My name. Turn about here. I am no other But that one who seeks those with the love of a brother." Of a moment, the salt sea behind seemed to quake As eight merry dolphins danced in the craft's wake. From the night's cloak of darkness floated a craft Hitched to the pod still cavorting abaft. To the helm leaped the passenger, with a wave. Cried "Farewell, brave captain! This night you did save The future of all whose hearts you represent: They who follow what's right, and unrepentant!" The captain came home, of this never speaking. His boat, from that that day, caught its limit, while leaking. "Cops for Kids" bikes wspaper wheeling Today! into Franklin BY LAUREL NEWMAN Chronicle Correspondent The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in coopera- tion with the "Cops for Kids" organization, will make their annual Christmas visit next week. The organization sponsors an annual holiday gift drive each year. All donations are distrib- uted to less fortunate children, families and senior citizens dur- ing the holiday season. Assistance to those in need is provided through referrals received through the schools, "Community Connections" pro- gram, and from concerned citi- zens. In Franklin County, the hol- iday donation drive focuses on new bicycles for needy children, whose names are referred from area schools, churches, and citi- zens. This year the designated !rica That bicycles will be delivered to Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and Apalachicola on Monday, Dec. Like O urs. 24, beginning in Carrabelle at about 9 a.m. owns. With reg- "We've always delivered fles, regionthem on Christmas Eve," said files, regional Johnny Turner, a volunteer for lebration of the the drive with the Florida State Landscape that Attorney's office in Apalach- icola. two weeks from icola. Weeks from Volunteers go to Tallahassee the day before and pick them up from a storage facility there, then bring them back for distribution the following day. Parents and guardians of the children who will be receiving the bicycles will be notified of the time and loca- tion to pick up their child or chil- dren's bicycles. I ' Lanark from Page 1 County Commissioner Cheryl Sanders echoed the crowd's belief that another public poll was not needed. "Y'all need to quit stalling," she said. The protests led Thoman to back away from the idea, and she never made a formal motion to conduct the poll, so that issue died. Carrabelle City Administra- tor John McInnis put an end to the protests-and the meeting- when he requested the District Board to indicate their intention by voting on a motion to move forward with a transfer of assets. That motion passed 2-1, with Barbara Rohrs voting against it. At one point during the meeting, she said that not all of her con- cerns had been adequately answered during a Carrabelle City Commission meeting earli- er this month, so she could not support the motion. Coy Donaldson, from the Florida Rural Water Associa- tion, spoke at the meeting, say- ing that unless there is some "underlying reason" against it, a transfer of assets to Carrabelle is "logical" and makes "financial good sense." In past meetings, Rohrs and Thoman have appeared reluctant to support a merger. However, Thoman has been moving recently closer to supporting the merger, culminating with her motion and vote to transfer assets this week. The final issues Thoman said she got answers to included a fair settlement of leave time for current Lanark District employees, that Lanark water customers woiild be charged 'a water/sewer rate no higher than other out-of-city cus- tomers, that proceeds from the sale of certain surplus property would be used to pay down Lanark District's debt, and that the District office could be leased to the Lanark Village Home- owners Association for $1 per year. There was also some suspi- cion regarding whether the.pub- lic hearing Jan. 21 was required. Water District attorney Brian Armstrong said he strongly advised having a public hearing to prevent anyone from filing a lawsuit later. He said the public hearing would not delay the transfer. Carrabelle Mayor Curley Messer said that a Jan. 21 public hearing would not be too late to move ahead with a transfer. There has been concern that Carrabelle is facing a March deadline or it could lose grant money, but the mayor said, "We can live with that time." One person who was not at the meeting was Bill Snyder, chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Lanark Village. At last month's meeting, the Board voted 2-1 to prohibit him from attending, and although that maneuver was of questionable legality, he said he would not challenge it by attending this week's meeting because he did not want to become a distrac- tion. The day after the meeting, Snyder was optimistic that the transfer of assets would take place. He told The Chronicle, "The people of Lanark got a Christmas present."